UP THE PERCENTAGE, PLEASE!

10/8/03

o, this isn't going to be a rant against NHRA's 90% rule for the nitro classes. I think that rule is a good thing, "purist" opinions be damned. This will be a quick, concise discussion of what I think could be done to strengthen the Top Fuel and nitro Funny Car fields at national events, and give the fans a bigger bang for their hard-earned buck. Moreover, these ideas could also make investing in a nitro operation a more attractive proposition, both for racers and Corporate America.

Why the concern for the nitro classes? Pretty simple -- that's what professional drag racing really is! Not Pro Mod, not bikes, of whatever kind, not Imports, whichever end is churning, not anything that racers resort to because they lack the funds or "inclination" to field a nitro burner. I know, I didn't include the Pro Stock crowd in my "not" field. They belong in the Pro ranks, due to the level of factory involvement currently present, and the level of support the Pro Stock racers invest in the category.

Do the proponents of these other kinds of race cars really think a hardworking guy or gal forks over their weekly wages to see THEM run? All you have to do is go to one national event and track the crowd movement relative to what the nitro cars are doing at any given moment. Watch and learn as the stands fill to watch the nitro qualifying sessions. Finish the lesson as you observe those same paying spectators LEAVE the stands and go into the pits to watch the pro crews work on the cars between rounds. Think of that for a moment. The people who pay money to get in (and keep the sport alive, thank you very much!) would rather watch nitro cars being serviced than watch other cars go down the track.

Oh, I know. Fans also watch Pro Stock, Super Gas all sorts of things under the sun. But I'm willing to bet it has as much to do with inertia as any real viewing preference. Hey, maybe all those people leaving the stands are just heading to the concession stands, or the "restrooms." Ya just never know what motivates folks. But I digress.

Let me throw out some popular complaints about current-era nitro racing, posted here as Screaming Subtitles, and debunk them, or offer a way to improve the situation, as applicable. Here goes.

"THE QUALIFYING SHOW SUCKS!"

Well, yes it does. But why doth it sucketh? Part of it is timing. Drag racing is for the most part a hot, summer activity. That's a good thing, except for all those sticky, slimy afternoon qualifying sessions where nobody can get down the track. You just haven't died a slow death until you have witnessed one of those with a killing sun roasting you in your seat.

So, why not run at night? I don't mean at twilight, I mean at night! As late as possible, whenever possible. Don't hand me that guff about getting the spectator home at a reasonable hour. I have never met anyone, and I mean anyone, who went to a drag race and immediately got in a big rush to get home! Too late for the kiddies? Leave 'em at home. If you can afford the ticket, you can afford the baby-sitter. Young America needs to work too, you know. Besides, nighttime nitro makes for great television.

Here's change number two for qualifying. Make it mean something. As it is now, you pretty much know who will make the cut for Sunday. And that group is pretty well defined into two groups, with a few hopefuls left to squabble over the last corner in the 'hood [the bump spot, ya know).

I say it's time to pay points for each session, each and every run. Now there's a way to scramble up the points chasin'! You could even take it a step further and pay Win / Lose / Shutoff points on top of the qualifying points. Don't ask me for the formula for the above scheme, unless of course there is a consultant fee on the table. You only get so much for free!